Breastfeeding in Uniform Gets Military Moms in Trouble

Photos nurse the mother of all controversies

Breastfeeding in public is already controversial, but throw in military uniforms, photography, and a political angle, and you have a mammary-oth controversy.

Air National Guard members Terran Echegoyen-McCabe and Christina Luna were reprimanded by army higher-ups - and by the internet in general - for having themselves photographed breastfeeding in their uniforms. The army has no policy on moms breastfeeding in uniform, but service members aren't allowed to promote civilian causes while in uniform. The photo above was taken for Mom2Mom, a support group, to promote breastfeeding.

Echegoyen-McCabe, the mom pictured on the left, is unrepentant: "I'm proud to be wearing a uniform while breast-feeding. I'm proud of the photo and I hope it encourages other women to know they can breast-feed whether they're active duty, guard or civilian."

Is it ok for military moms to promote breastfeeding in uniform?

I don't have an issue with women breastfeeding in public. However my husband spent over 20 years in the military and there are rules. If they wanted to show support for their cause it didn't need to be in uniform.

I believe there was another young woman not too long ago who got in trouble for participating in a Playboy issue while wearing her uniform. As far as I can recall, and I may be incorrect, but she was discharged from the military. It's against the military's rules to wear your uniform for any 'publicity,' so to speak, for anything other than the military itself.It's kinda like how the President isn't allowed to campaign on military bases. It's just one of those rules made to respect the duty of those serving in the armed forces.

All that being said, I'm ok with moms breastfeeding in public as long as it's not overtly open. Ex: I don't mind seeing part of your boob while you feed your beautiful child, but I've no wish to have you whipping off your top to do so infront of other people. That's why they invented those little blankets to put over your shoulder.What I'm not ok with, is using the military or it's personel for political agendas. And that's what this is. Let's call a spade a spade. This is nothing more than some super feminist woman's group's attempt to spark controversy to get said woman's group's name in the running.

This is awesome! I love these two women! The whole notion of breastfeeding in public making people uncomfortable is so utterly ridiculous. It is so incredibly self-centered! Shockingly so. Seriously, people want to tell women when they can and cannot have babies, when they can or cannot get birth control, and when they can or cannot breastfeed and where? I want people to start telling men when they can and cannot have vasectomies, and when they can or cannot buy condoms!

There is nothing wrong with a uniformed female soldier breastfeeding in public or with a uniformed male soldier changing a diaper in public.

Being in a public place and posing for a magazine cover are two very different things.

Members of the military know full well that they are not permitted to wear their uniforms when promoting their off duty causes. These women deserve to be punished because they knowingly broke the rules.

Its a natural thing, its how babies get fed. I don't see what the problem with them doing it would be. They're in the military, and they're mom's, so you know they might breastfeed. Just blown out of proportion.

IN UNIFORM OR NOT, THERE IS A TIME AND PLACE FOR EVERYTHING AND THESE LADIES ARE JUST TRYING TO SEE HOW FAR THEY CAN PUSH THIS ISSUE. IN PUBLIC VIEW IS NOT THE PLACE. IN ADDITION, THEY ARE VIOLATING THE UNIFORM CODE OF MILITARY JUSTICE THROUGH INDESCENT EXPOSURE AND SHOULD RECEIVE SOME MEASURE OF MILITARY DISCIPLINE !

Like I stated on the topic regarding the cover of Time Magazine, breast feeding isn't what's good for the babies, it's breast milk. You don't have to pop out the girls to feed a baby. You can pump and give them a bottle. They broke the rules and they were reprimanded. And for the record, I don't have a problem with breast feeding in public, but there is something called modesty.

i suppose that the people who are objecting to his photo, or breast feeding in general were never breast fed. it seems that americans are all too worried about boobies. where we live women nurse their babies whenever needed and wherever they are at the moment... and nobody minds.

There is nothing wrong with the picture. For them to be in trouble is absurd. Since when is it a crime to breastfeed your child? Too many silly laws for the Government to get more of our hard earned money.

It's wonderful for moms to breastfeed in or out of uniform. However, I think that, while this is a natural and admirable act, it should be done in private, or at least in a less conspicuous way, just as other natural and admirable acts are carried out.